Product Roundup: 12 Fashionable (and Functional) Camera Bags

While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a classic camera bag, we’re happy to see that more and more manufacturers are designing camera bags with removable padded inserts so bags can double as a purse or a weekender when you’re not shooting. And while messenger-style bags are not new, vendors have recently integrated the more fashionable designation of cross-body bags. We’ve put together a smattering of some of our favorite fully functional bags here (for men and women) that break the mold and also add a dash of style to your photo persona.

Photo © Valeria Spring

KETTI
The Schoolgirl
Whether you choose electric blue, moss or the more classic caramel version (above) of the Ketti Schoolgirl camera bag, the polka-dot, padded interior will bring a smile to your face every time you open it to grab your camera. Designed to camouflage itself as a leather purse, the padded bag is highly functional for carrying a DSLR, an extra lens and a tablet. There’s also room for your smartphone, wallet (which you can stow in the interior zippered pocket) and other small accessories. The bag, which measures 12 x 9 inches, features a turn-lock closure on the front and a back pocket with a magnetic closure. Carry it by its handle or with the adjustable shoulder strap.
Price: $295

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Photo © Erika Koorndyk

CAPTURING COUTURE
The Sofia
With its attractive in its black-and-white brocade pattern, the Sofia is Capturing Couture’s most popular camera bag. The bag, which measures 13 x 8 x 4 inches and is fully lined, holds a DSLR plus an extra lens or flash. There’s a single adjustable padded divider and assorted pockets—including a 12 x 6.5-inch exterior back pocket—to stash necessities and accessories. Want to feel luxurious? The adjustable shoulder strap is lined in velvet and promises comfort whether you’re wearing the Sofia over your shoulder or across the body à la messenger style.
Price: $149

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CASE LOGIC
Cross-Body Reflexion
New from Case Logic is the Reflexion DSLR + iPad Small Cross Body Bag. A removable padded camera pod with a drawstring closure holds a DSLR and an additional lens or flash; simply remove the pod to turn the Cross-Body Bag into a messenger bag. But even with the insert, there’s plenty of room for an iPad and accessories in well-designed pockets. This top-opening bag offers lots of room to grab and store your camera without scraping the back of your hand on a zipper. Mesh side pockets are perfect for water bottles and other on-the-road necessities. Prettiest in pomegranate (above), the Reflexion also comes in anthrocite or morel for those who prefer neutral colors.
Price: $70

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TAMRAC
The Aria
When you’re traveling light, consider Tamrac’s Aria 1. At 7 x 2.5 x 6 inches (exterior) and weighing 7 ounces, it’s compact and featherweight compared to most camera bags, but it’s still roomy enough to fit a mirrorless camera with a lens attached, along with an additional lens, flash and accessories. It’s available in other sizes as well, if you’d rather carry a DSLR, but we like the idea of walking around unencumbered. Constructed from smooth, water-resistant nylon fabric in berry, moss green, black or brown, the Aria is durable, too, proving that it’s more than just a pretty bag.
Prices: from $40

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Photo courtesy of ONA

ONA
Union Street Messenger
Exceedingly handsome in walnut leather, ONA’s Union Street (which is also available in waxed canvas) is handcrafted from naturally-milled Italian leather and is as functional as it is well-designed and constructed. 

With exterior dimensions of 16 x 11 x 5.5 inches and an interior size of 15.5 x 10 x 5.5, the Union Street can accommodate enough gear to easily get through a basic shoot. There’s room for a DSLR (with lens attached), as well as three to four additional lenses and a 15-inch laptop. Use the zippered front organizer pocket for additional accessories and personal items.
Prices: $489 (leather); $299 (waxed canvas)

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Photos © Joanna Swaggart

HOLDFAST GEAR
The Roamographer
HoldFast’s new Roamographer is as stylish as it is rugged. Crafted by a small group of artisans in New York, the bag is made from brown or black America Bison leather and comes in two sizes: 18 x 14 x 10 inches (above), and the smaller version at 14.5 x 9 x 8 inches. With plenty of room for DSLRs, lenses and an iPad or 15-inch laptop in the padded removable insert, the Roamographer is equipped with enough pockets to hold personal items. As a bonus, HoldFast Gear includes its Luggage Tag Wallet for passports, ID, cash, a smartphone and more. Pack the bag, strap your tripod to the bottom of the Roamographer, slide on the shearling-lined shoulder strap and you’re ready to go.
Prices: $625 (large); $525 (small)

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GRAFEA
Classic Leather
Grafea’s Classic Leather camera bags are, indeed, classics. Constructed from full-grain leather, the bags are equipped with a padded insert that zips closed and can accommodate a DSLR and an extra lens, accessories or flash. The leather flap closure provides additional protection, with side-saddlebag-like pockets and a larger front pocket for additional accessories and personal items. The bag (above) measures 8.2 x 14.1 x 7.6 inches and is available in caramel, brown, black or (dare I say it?) pink. A larger version, called the “Photo,” is available at 11.81 x 15.74 x 7.65 inches in caramel or brown and accommodates a full-size DSLR, an extra lens and a flash unit.
Prices: $260; $285 (for the “Photo”bag)

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TENBA
Switch 10
Are you the indecisive type? Tenba’s Switch 10 bags offer a choice of interchangeable covers—including red faux leather, blue mélange, pink mélange, blue/grey geometric and black/grey camouflage—so you can switch up your style on a whim. Each cover sells for $20 and Tenba promises that more tops are coming. The bags are designed to carry a mirrorless camera with lens attached, plus up to three additional lenses and other accessories. The front flaps have magnetic closures, so you’re not loudly tearing open Velcro straps and catching dirty looks, plus a secondary snap enclosure guarantees added security. They also feature a top-access zipper so you can dip into the bags without having to open the main cover. There are side loops for attaching additional pouches plus MOLLE loops on the bottom for carrying a tripod. A rear padded sleeve houses a 10-inch tablet. The bags are made from water-repellant nylon, but when the skies really open, there’s a rain cover on hand as well.
Prices: $80 to $110

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DOMKE
The Chronicle
A part of Domke’s Journalist series of photo bags, the Chronicle looks good no matter what profession you’re in. The bag’s three dividers will let you stash your DSLR, 70-200mm lens, plus up to three other lenses and a 9.7-inch tablet. An expandable zippered side pocket gives you room to throw accessories. There’s space on the outside, too, with a pair of expandable front pockets and two expandable zippered pockets available for tucking away memory cards, business cards and the like. It will be sold in canvas, Cordura and a durable RuggedWear design.
Price: $425

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JILL-E DESIGNS
The Juliette
As sweet as its name, the Juliette from Jill-e Designs can accommodate a DSLR, with one or two additional lenses and a flash. Thanks to a zippered netted pocket inside the flip lid, you can probably squeeze another lens (albeit a short one) along with batteries, media cards and/or a charger. The interior of the bag is padded with adjustable dividers and is accessed via a one-touch buckle. You can stash personal accessories and your smartphone in the front pocket for easy access. Constructed from pebbled leather in red, teal or black (they’re testing some other colors, too, so keep an eye on the website for news), the Juliette measures 9.5 x 4.5 x 7.0 inches and features a handstrap as well as an adjustable shoulder strap.
Price: $170

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SHOOTSAC
Tote & Shoot
One of my longtime favorites, the Shootsac Tote & Shoot is a large carry-all bag with a roomy interior and a cleverly designed, padded kangaroo-pouch-like outer compartment for quick access to a pro-sized DSLR with up to a 70-200mm lens attached. The main compartment is spacious and also comes with an elastic loop to hold a lens in place. It’s best to pick up the Shootsac Lens Bag if you want to add more lenses to the interior. The exterior is outfitted with a trolley pocket that, when not in use, serves as a compartment for an iPad or smaller laptop. Two drawstring exterior pockets are perfect for water bottles and other quick-access items. Available in black, blue, red and pearl, the Tote & Shoot comes with dual handles—long enough to carry the bag over your shoulder—as well as a removable cross-body strap.
Prices: $199 (tote & shoot); $329 (tote & shoot and lens bag)

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Photo © Aria Photography

JO TOTES
Allison Cross-Body
Available in black, butterscotch, teal and mint, the stylish (and affordable) Allison cross-body bag is new from Jo Totes. With dimensions of 10 x 12 x 5, the Allison is roomy enough to carry a DSLR with attached lens, along with one or two additional lenses. There are seven pockets that fit everything from your wallet and smartphone to a tablet. Adjustable padding on the interior can be removed, but your gear is still secure against bumps thanks to the protective foam sewn into the lining on all four sides and the bottom of the bag. Made from high-quality, soft faux leather, the Allison looks and feels more expensive than its price tag.
Price: $89

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